Method and apparatus for treating hair



Feb. 6, 1962 D. D. WEATHERHOLT ETAL 3,019,795

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING HAIR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 5, 1958 bi 1| 1. In

INVENTOIU ATTORNEY Feb. 6, 1962 D. D. WEATHERHOLT ETAL 3,019,795

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING HAIR Filed Jan. 5, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 domes h. FU/fO INVENTORJ M BY Maya,

Feb. 6, 1962 D. D. WEATHERHOLT ETAL 3,019,795

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING HAIR Filed Jan. 5, 1958 s Sheets-Sheet 5 dame: Fu/forc/ INVENTORS ATTORNEY and mineral materials.

. particularly adaptable to the drying of hair and other such United States Patent This invention relates to methods and apparatus for rapidly drying human hair and other materials of like or similar physical properties including animal, vegetable, The invention, in this aspect, is

materials in a wet matted condition such that the bulk of the water wetting the hair or other materials is relatively inaccessible from the exterior thereof. This invention also relates to the treatment of hair. In this aspect, the invention contemplates permanent waving, dying, bleaching,'and oil or creme treating of hair.

This application is a continuation-in-part of SN. 663,- 955, filed June 6, 1957, entitled Hair Drier, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of SN. 600,079, filed July 25, .1956, entitled Hair Drier, the inventorsin all of these cases being the same and SN. 663,955 and S.N. 600,079 now being abandoned.

A principal object of the invention is to provide apparatus which will rapidly dry hair with no danger of damage to the scalp or hair.

Another object of the invention is to provide such apparatus which will give the hair a permanent set.

Another object of the invention is to provide such apparatus wherein high frequency energy is usedinvolving only relatively low temperatures.

Another object of the invention is to provide such apparatus wherein energy of radio frequency range is used;

Another object of the invention is to provide methods utilizing radio frequency energy for the drying and/or permanent waving of hair and other materials.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hairwave setting process whereby the waves have increased permanence and are springy and soft.

Another principal object of the invention is to provide methods for treating hair, including permanent waving, drying, dying, bleaching, and oil or creme treating. The apparatus of the invention also serves in realization of this object.

The setting of human hair to produce coiffures is a procedure which is very time-consuming according to present-day methods. As a general rule it is necessary to first shampoo the hair to thoroughly clean it, then to adequately rinse the hair with water in order that all soaps, detergents, and excess oils are removed, then often to condition the hair for setting by the application of.

oils, cremes, solutions, and the like, then to set or form the curls and waves while the hair is wet and then finally to dry the hair in the set condition tea proper moisture content in such a way as to make the set of the hair as permanent as possible and without causing damage to the hair or scalp from heat or from the chemical preparations used. After the wave of the hair is, set by such a procedure, the coifiure must be completed by careful arrangement to satisfy the artistic desires and beauty needs of the patron. Of all of these steps involved in the setting of hair, the proper drying of the hair to permanitize the set of the hair usually requires the most time, perhaps from thirty minutes to one hour or more depending on the quality and condition of the hair. Hairs of unusually fine texture, bleached hair, and hair which has been damaged by overly strong chemical solutions or by overprocessing, are generally considered delicate," and hairs of these types are the most difficult to set and dry and are the most easily damaged by improper setting and drying.

Drying of the hair generally requiresat least half of the total time of the entire hair-setting or permanent waving procedure. Space in the beauticians shop for the chairs, dryers, and waiting room must be provided for this step. In an effort to make the time required shorter, to lessen the shop space requirements of the shop owner, to minimize the inconvenience of the patrons and thereby to reduce costs, the inventors have developed and adapted new types of apparatus and new methods of setting and permanently waving hair which are extremely rapid, cornfortable to the patron, and which require a minimum of shop space and time. I

The other aspects of the invention, namely, permanent waving, bleaching, dying, and creme or other oil treatments are equally as important as dying of hair and other materials. It has been found that by application of the invention all of these treatments may be speeded up, with consequent saving of time, and with equally good, and often superior, results as are obtainable with customary procedures. Briefly, the invention as applied to these treatments includes applying a permanent waving lotion, a bleaching agent, a dying preparation, or a creme or oil to the hair in the usual manner. Then, instead of waiting the necessary time for these materials to function, which may be from about twenty minutes to about an hour and a half depending on which material is used and depending on the type and condition of the hair being treated, the head is placed within the apparatus herein disclosed and the hair subjected to the high frequency energy. Surprisingly, the application of the high frequency energy causes the treating material to function to its full capability in a much shorter time than is usual. 'By

' following the teachings of this invention, the hair treatments may be completed much more quickly than heretofore. For eXample, the treating time for a cold wave" permanent wave is reduced from 10-45 minutes, which is the normal time, to from secs-5 minutes; the treatwhich treatment is employed according to this invention,

' is that the resultant coitture is of better sheen, is softer,

and in many ways more beautiful than coilfures produced by conventional procedures and apparatus.

Besides the advantages alreadydescribed, use 'of the invention decreases the costs of air conditioning the shop since heat-producing drying apparatus is absent. This feature further adds to the comfort of the patron in case air conditioning facilities are inadequate during rush periods at the shop.

The new methods and apparatus utilize electromagnetic fields or radio frequency energy. These waves applied to wet hair produce kinetic electron motion in the water present which results in rapid-evaporation of the water and a permanent set of the hair. The radio frequency or electromagnetic fields also similarly act on the water of the hair itself, and the action of the fields on the hair causes a physical reformation of the hair struc ture whereby there results high permanence of the hair wave formation in which the hair is set. The radio frequency field acting on the hair causes the electron patterns of the hair molecules to be distortedaccording' iatented Feb. 6, 1962.

results without the necessity of following the heretofore known lengthy procedures.

The high frequency currents employed may range up Ward of one ampere, the person whose hair is being treated feeling only a sensation of warmth at his hair and scalp. The high frequency dielectric energy is transmitted to or assumed by the water in the hair to be dried, whereby the water is consequently evaporated without becoming uncomfortably hot. Each water molecule is vaporized by the high frequency ener gy imparted thereto by the dielectric field, the mole cules attaining the kinetic energy of a vapor and escapihg fror'nthe mass of water about the hair as a vapor.

- Other objects, uses, advantages, and improvements of the invention will appear from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagram of an electrical circuit for use in connection with the methods and apparatus affordjed by the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of a dielectric headpiece according to the invention;

.FIGURE} is a side view in vertical section of the headpiece shown in FIGURE 2, taken at line 3--3 of FIGURE 2; u FIGURE 4 is a vertical section of the preferred headpiece, the inner shell on dome thereof being partially broken away to show the arrangement of the electrodes Within theouter shell or dome; and,

FIGURE 5 is a schematic elevation of the apparatus in use, the headpiece being that shown in FIGURE 4.

Referring first to FIGURE 1, there is shown the electric circ'uitffor generating the high frequency alternating electromagnetic field and timing its duration. Conducto'rs 101, 102 are connected to a source of alternating current, not shown, e.g. a 115 volt 60 cycle power source. Adirect current power supply designated generally by the. reference number 103 is connected to positive conduc'tor 104. and negative conductor 105. Power supply 1'0'3 ,"com rises a transformer, rectifier, and filter in conventional relationship and need not be describedfurther.

iA'n oscillator designated generally by reference character 110 is connected to power supply 103. It comprises vacuum tube 111 with tuned grid and plate circtiits, the being controlled by crystal 112 tuned for example, 'to 6.83 megacycles. An amplifier, designated generally by reference character 12-0 is also connected to power "supply 103 and is coupled to oscillator 110 by 'cond'enser'121. The amplifier includes vacuum tube 122 whose plate circuit may, for example, b'e tuned to 27.32 megacycl'es, the fourth harmonic of the oscillator freenemy A power amplifier designated generally by reference character 130 is coupled to amplifier 120 by condenser 131. Am'plifier130 is capacitively coupled to its tank circuit 134 by condenser 135 and condenser 136 thus insulating the tank circuit from the direct current power supply 133. The tank circuit, is inductively coupled to matching network 137 through loop138 whereby the network is doubly insulated from the power supply 133. The network 'is connected by leads 139, 140 to the electrodes or rods in the headpiece of the apparatus.

It will be noted that power supply 133 is energized hnly when relay 150 closes contacts 151 and that power supply1'0 3 is energized only when contacts 152 of the master "switch 153 are closed. When it is desired to operate the machine the master switch 153 is closed which at once energizes power supply 103, oscillator 110 I and amplifier 120. Closure of the master switch also closes contacts 154 which causes current to fiow through resistor 155 and normally closed contacts 156 of relay 1 57. When resistor 15 has heated bimetal 158 sufficiently to close normally opencontact 15 9, relay 157 is energized, breakingthecircuit to resistor 155 and closing normally open hold-in contact 159. At the same time main contacts 160 are closed to connect conductor 161 to conductor 102 preparatory to energization of power supply 133-. The time delay in preparing the circuit for power supply 133 enables power supply 103, oscillator 110, and amplifier to be properly warmed up and functioning normally before any power can be applied to the head-piece.

Closure of master switch 153 connects timer 170 to conductors 101, 102 through leads 171, 172. Upon closure of a push button switch on the timer, as will be described in further detail later, conductor 101 is connected to conductor 173 for a predetermined period of time. When conductor 173 is energized, conductor 161 having previously been energized, relay 150 is energized closing contacts 151 and energizing power supply 133, whereupon the power amplifier transmits high frequency power to the head-piece as previously described.

The first step of the hair drying and waving method is to wet the hair thoroughly with Water or other substance. A preliminary shampooing and rinsing step is to be preferred, but is not essential. After wetting the hair, the hair is dried. This drying step results in either a semi-permanent or a permanent set or wave of the hair, the result being variable according to the degree of energy supplied to the hair inthe drying or waving step.

During the drying treatment of the hair the load on power supply 133 is large enough to keep the voltage low but as drying is completed and the load drops the voltage rises sufficiently to energize relay 180 and cause normally closed contacts 181 to be opened thereby terminating the drying and permanent setting process by opening the circuit to relay controlling power supply 133 if this has not already occurred due to deenergization of relay 150 by timer 170.

Referring still to FIGURE 1 there is shown the circuit of timer 170. A relay 200 is normally energized from conductors 171, 172 through a rectifier comprising a vacuum tube 201 and capacitor 202. However, when push button switch 203 is briefly closed, electron flow through selenium rectifier 204 and resistor 205 to charge up the uppermost plate of condenser 206, thereby making grid 207 of tube 201 negative and deenerg izing relay 200. This opens contacts 208 preventing further charging of condenser 206 and closes contacts-209 connecting conductor 173 to conductor 101 and energizing power'supply 133. The electrons on the upper plate of condenser 206 leak on through resistor 210 and vacuum tube 211, and ultimately, dependent on the sizes of condenser 206 and resistor 210, grid 207 again becomes positive or less negative and tube 201 conducts 'sumcient'ly to ree'nergize relay 200 and reopen contacts 209, thereby deenergizing power supply 133 and discontinuing the supply of high frequency power to the electrodes in the head piece of the apparatus. By varying'in the setting of variable resistor 210 the time of the drying tre'atmentcan be varied as desired. Condenser 200 can be varied for likepurpose.

A slide lamp 220 having a loop 221 connected thereto and disposed between leads 139, 140, is lighted when the voltage of power supply 133 be'comes'large and increases the voltage between leads 139, 140, to energize the loop 221 and lamp 220.

A-second lamp 230 is connected'across master-switch 153. Lamp 230 is energized and lighted "when master switch 153 is closed and is used to indicate when the master switch is closed and the circuit energized.

Themeans just described for supplying high frequency electric power to the electrodes and the adjustable means for determining the time of application of the power are of course not the only means that can be used for the purpose. However, they represent presently preferred means because of the double insulation of the electrodes from the direct current power source, thereby protecting the person 'whose hair is being dried 'andw'aved'against electric shock, because of the stability of the fre'quency of the power supplied to the electrodes and hence of the electromagnetic field generated between the electrodes, whereby the treatment time is predictable, and because of the accuracy and wide range of adjustability of the timing circuit.

The present method and apparatus for drying and permanently waving hair is to be distinguished from pre viously so-called inductive hair dryers using relatively low frequency power in the l to 100 kilocycle range, requiring the use ofspecial metallic cores or other energy receiving means in the curls in which core heat is developed by eddy currents, that is, by oscillations of the free electrons in the metal, the heat being transmitted by conduction to the hair curls. The present invention is likewise to be distinguished from the previously known drying of hair by electromagnetic radiation of the frequency just below that of visible light known as infra red radiation.

The present invention is also to be distinguished from fever therapy or diathermy apparatus in which the body is heated deeply internally with electrodes placed on opposite sides of the body to be heated with the body in between the electrodes and subject to the electromagnetic field therebetween. According to the present invention emphasis is placed on the electrode configuration of the head-piece. In the headpieces shown in FIGURES 2+5, the electrodes of opposite polarities alternate with one another so that at no point is any portion of the skull of the head of the person whose hair is being dried or waved spanned by two adjacent opposite polarity electrodes. By this means the alternating field is concentrated in a surface surrounding the users skull and pene trating substantially only through the hair of the user. The relative high frequency of ti e field used in the present invention also assists in limiting the effective area of the field to prevent heating the head of the user beneath the hair thereon. The frequency range of the electromagnetic field useful in the present invention is about one megacycle to 150 megacycles. This range will sometimes hereinafter be referred to as the short wave radio frequency range. A frequency of 27.32 megacycles has of which is connected to one of the leads 139, 140, of the radio frequency generator described above. Framej301 is shown connected to lead 39 and frame 302 is shown connected to lead 140. These connections may be reversed.

Rod frame 301 consists of an outer rod 304 which curves upward and frontward around one side of the head-piece from its connection with lead 139 at the lower rear edge of the head-piece to a point at the upper front of the head-piece. A plurality of branch rods 305- 3% branch from rod 304 at spaced points therealong at the front of the head-piece and extend toward and around the rear of the head-piece to terminate near thefront of the opposite side of the head-piece. The other rod frame 302 consists of an outer rod 310 which curves upward and frontward around the other side of the head-piece from its connection with lead 140 at the lower rear edge of the head-piece to a point at the upper front of the headpiece adjacent to the end of outer rod 304. A plurality of branch rods 311-315 branch from rod 310 at spaced points therealong at the front of the head-piece and extend toward and around the rear of the head-piece to terinitiate near rod 304. The branch rods of the two frames 301, 302, are disposed alternately, i.e., rod 312 is between rods 305 and 306, rod 306 is between rods 312 and 313, and so forth in like fashion for all of the rod elements making up the two frames. This arrangement of the rod frames makes it possible for the electromagnetic field to be set up between adjacent rod elements of been found to be extremely satisfactory in producing rapid drying and treatment of the hair without creating excessive external or internal heat around or in the users body. A

I The electromagnetic field produced in either of the two head-piece modifications tobe described, the headpiece being fitted over the wet hair on the head, is of t such intensity that the hair is dried very rapidly, usually within a period of time of up to about ten to fifteen minutes. Hair of poor condition, i.e. delicate hair, requires a longer time than does hair in good condition. The time may be varied from the stated limits by suitable adjustment of the electric circuits previously described.

In the case of very delicate hair the wave does not take as readily as with normal and coarse hair. Therefore, with delicate hair it is preferred to apply to the hair, instead of water, some solution which will assist the wave formation. The assistance may be by way of softening the hair structure to enhance the introduction of water (e.g. wetting agents), or by way of leaving a film on the dried and set hair. It has been found that for delicate haira solution of sugar in water will improve the per-.

rectly over and around and to conform to the upperhaircovered portion of a persons head like a hat. Within the head-piece are two separate rod frames 301, 302, each inner shell 320 of the head-piece holds the rods at a the headpiece.

The head-piece has an inner shell 320 and an outer shell 321 which cover the rod frames 301, 302, and hold them in their respective positions. A layer 322 of insulating material is disposed between the rod frames and outer shell 321. The inner shell 320 is made of an insulating material to protect the user from direct contact with the rod frames. Outer shell 321 may be made of any suitable material such as metal, plastic, fabric, and the like. An elongated hole 325 is provided through the crown of head-piece, inner shell 320 being formed around the hole as'at 326 to insulate therearound. Hole 325 is disposed between rods 308 and 315, and functions to allow the slightly heated vapors and gases to rise out of the interior of the head-piece by convection.

The head of the person whose hair is to be dried and waved is placed within the head-piece, the forehead contacting the front of the head-piece at 330 and the skirt 331 of the head-piece extending down over the nape of the neck. The head-piece thus closely covers substantially all of the hair on the head. The hair is wet as a result of the hair setting and waving procedures heretofore mentioned.

After the head-piece is in place the master switch 153 of the'high frequency generator is closed and a high frequency alternating electromagnetic field is caused between the rods of the two frames 301, 302. The field, as described, is limited to areas near the rod frames, encompassing only the hair on the head and not the'skull, the field being most concentrated in the spaces between adjacent rods and extending from all sides of the rods for a short distance so as not to reach the scalp or skull. The

suitable distance from the head so that only a very small part of the field of negligible effect is in contact with the cause the hair to be dried and the set of the hair made permanent.

The insulating layer 322 of the head-piece spaces the; rods far enough from the exterior of the headpiece and insulates the rods so that no ill effects can be caused to persons near or touching the exterior of the head-piece.

Instead of using a head-piece such as that shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 when dielectric energy, such as that produced at dielectric means such as rod frames 301, 302. of FIGURES 2-3, or the like, is used to dry and set the hair, it is possible alternatively to include the rods of alternate polarity within a hair dressing device of some kind, for example a brush or comb. When this is done, it is then possible to dry and form each curl independently at the time that the hair dresser or the technician is working. In that case, the coiifure may be completed as the hair dresser works on each curl or wave one at a time. The rods may be incorporated into any type of tool used in the profession, and it is possible thereby to dry the hair almost instantaneously into pin curls, Croquignole waves, or any other form desired. For a person having naturally wavy hair, where there is no need to form a wave in the hair, a brush having the rods of opposite polarity disposed therein can be used in drying and arranging the hair simultaneously. It is not felt necessary to describe and show in the drawings each such hair dressing device, since they act the same as the head-piece in principle, and it is only necessary to incorporate two or more opposite polarity rods or electrodes into the devices together with a spacing device for placing the electrodes at the proper distance from the patrons head when the device is used.

Small individual electrode-containing devices may be used for certain types of waves, and spacing devices may be used therewith for protecting the patron. In point of fact, the protective spacers are used only to prevent burns if excessive contact is prolonged, and there is no danger if an actual electrode in a device as described is touched only momentarily.

Fans or suction devices for drawing away or blowing away the steam formed may be provided, for any of the head-pieces or devices, although they are unnecessary in most cases if proper care is exercised in the design of the equipment.

The permanency of set of the hair treated according to the invention is the result of the drying of the hair, which causes concentration of materials in solution and suspension in the water wetting the hair at the surfaces of each hair, and of the reforming or distortion of the hair molecules believed to be caused by drying of the intermolecular water of the hair. This latter reforming feature distinguishes this invention from older setting and permanent waving methods wherein the hair was only exteriorly'dried. The penetrating effect of the field within the individual hair structures was unknown in the older methods of drying and treating hair and its results unrealized.

The preferred form of headpiece is shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. Referring first to FIGURE 4, the headpiece 4% comprises an inner plastic shell or dome 491 and an outer plastic shell or dome 402. The plastic used in making these shells may be any of the suitable plastic or resin materials known in the art which will withstand the slight heat produced by the electrodes. The plastic material may be lucite or polyethylene or any other suitable plastic material known in the art. In FIGURE 4, the shells dill, 4&2 are lucite, which is a plastic material which is comnrercially available and which is easily provided in the forms of shells 4b} and 4%.

The shell 461 is of smaller size than sheil 492, to fit uniformly spaced therewithin as shown. Shell 491 has a plurality of the uniformly spaced perforations see therethrough over its surface to permit passage of air past the shell. The space 465 between the shells is for conducting air between the shells. v

Duct 496 (see also FIGURE 5) carries warm air from blower 407 to the headpiece. Blower 497 draws air from the room, at room temperature, into duct 406. Heating elements 408 in the lower part of duct 4% heat the air passing thereover from fan 4-07, the air passing on through duct :06 to the headpiece.

Duct 4'86 is preferably of sheet metal construction of the usual form. The metal is only heavy (thick) enough to give the duct the required strength and durability. A slip-joint in duct 4% is provided above fan 407 in the vertical part of the duct in order that the height of the horizontal part of the duct above the fioor 410 may be adjusted, The slip joint is formed by a smaller duct portion 411 which fits tightly but slidably within a larger duct portion 412 so that the length of the vertical part of the duct may be adjusted by changing the length of duct portion ill which is telescoped within duct portion 412. The heating elements 468 are preferably disposed within duct portion 41 Duct has a smooth right-angle bend 414 intermediate its length. Adjacent the bend in the horizontal part of the duct there is provided a flexible joint or coupling 415, which may be in the form of a bellows having end sleeve portions sliped over the two parts of duct 406. A bar 436 is bolted to duct 4% adjacent the upper end of the vertical part thereof. Bar 416 extends above the duct 414- and has an opening therethrough in line with the horizontal part of the duct. A second bar 417 is baited. to the horizontal part of the duct and extends through the opening in bar 4-16. A screw 41% through bars 416, 417 at the opening may be tightened to hold bars 416, 417 relatively fixed, so that the horizontal part of duct 4% is held in place, but is adjustable by loosening screw 518. Because of this adjustment and flexible coupling 415, the position of head piece 4% at the end of duct 4% may be readily changed to suit the position of the customers head.

Fan 4 07 is a common type of centrifugal blower, and is mounted on a side of a cabinet 420. Cabinet 420 is supported by casters or wheels 421 upon floor 41b, and may be thereby rolled to the desired position for use. A box 422 is mounted upon the upper side of the horizontal part of duct 406 and adjacentthe headpiece. Cabinet 420 and box 422. contain the circuit elements depicted in FIG- URE l of the drawings. The circuit elements are not shown in FIGURE 5. Their arrangement in cabinet 420 and box is subject to such variation depending on the desire and convenience of the maker and user that it is not necessary to show the layout of this part of the equipment. The circuit elements are shown in FIGURE 1, and the elements, including the control switches may be arranged as desired within box 4-22 and cabinet 420.

The person 430 whose hair is to be treated is seated upon a chair $31. The head piece 40% is placed around the upper part of the persons head to envelop substantially all of the hair as is shown in FIGURE 5. Suitable adjustment at the screw 418 between bars 416,417 is made to place the head piece in the proper position, with the horizontal part of duct 466 either level or sloped upwardly or downwardly from coupling 415.

Referring now primarily to FIGURE 4 of the drawings, the duct ass is connected at its outer end to headpiece 4th Duct 4% has a terminal flange 435 formed to fit flushly against shell 402 around an opening 435 therethrough. Flange ass is screwed to shell 4% by a plurality of the screws 437. Opening436 permits warmed "air to flow from duct 4% to space 405 between shells 48-1, 4&2, the air passing evenly to the concave interior of shell 48 1, through perforations 4494.

Referring again to FZGURES 2-3, with continued reference to FIGURE 4, there are provided within space 465 a pair of electrode means 441, 442, which are analogous to rod frames 3&1, 3G2 of FIGURES 2-3. Electrode means 441, 442 are each made up of a number of thin strips 44-3 of aluminum foil which are glued to the inner surface of outer shell 4 02. Alternatively, strips 443 may be painted stripes of a suitable material painted onto the inner surface of outer shell 402. Such materials are well known and widely used in preparation of electrical circuits known as painted circuits.

Electrode means 442 is made up of one of the strips 2 443, here referred to as strip 443a, extending from withthe lower edge of the inner surface of shell 402 to the low temperature. The evaporated water, i.e. steam, produced, passes from the hair smoothly and uniformly and is moved by natural convection up through the outlet 325 at the upper part of the head-piece; since a large amount of steam is not suddenly produced when a boiling temperature is attained, as in the case of ordinary heated front of the shell. Strip 443b is joined, along its length,

by a plurality of spaced strips 443:: each extending upwardly therefrom along the innersurface of shell 402.

Strips 443s extend around the top of shell 402 to terminate at points spaced from the other electrode 441.

Electrode 441, only the parts443d analogous to the terminal ends of strips 443:: of electrode 442 being shown, is formed in the same manner as electrode 442. The parts 4430, 443d of the two electrodes are spacedand alternated over the inner surface of shell 402 as indicated. This electrode arrangement is analogous to, and functions in the same manner as, the electrodes or frames 301, 302, these latter having the alternately disposed rods 30S303 and 311-3l5 arranged in a similar manner. The electrodes 441, 442 are arranged in the described manner over the entirety of the inner surface of shell 402 and are glued in place has already been mentioned. Space 405 is relatively thin or narrow so that the electrodes are closely spaced from inner shell 401 in order to be .operably disposed with respect to the concave'interior of shell 402.

The operation of head piece 300 already having been described in detail, it is unnecessary to'repeat that description with reference .to headpiece 400. When the strips 443cand 443d are disposed as described-within headpiece 400, the radio frequency energy passes only between the adjacent strips, so that a concentration of the energy occurs only within space 405 and in a uniform thin layer within shell 401. Thatthe energy is concentrated as described may be readily determined by placing a phosphor radiation detection probe at several locations about and within the headpiece. The phosphor probe is a device, which includes a substance that emits light when excited .by radiation, as for example a fluorescent lamp. Any other suitable radiation detector can be similarly used. proportional to the concentration of the radiation to which the probe is exposed. Such a probe placed within the headpiece lights up brilliantly onlywhen it is-adjacent to (within one inch or less of) the interior of shell 401. When the probe is at any other location within the headpiece cavity, it lights up only dimly or not at all. This probe indication is useful in determining proper functioning of the headpiece, and also indicates the field distribution within the head piece. It may be employed in the case of either head piece 300 and When the head-piece200* is used for drying hair, the hair may be set in the desired coiffure and held in place in any manner. It is not necessary that there be any conductor or receiver for the radio frequency energy passing through the hair between rods of frames 301, 302 or between electrodes 441, '442. As already described, the radio frequency energy acts predominantly on the water wetting the hair and on the intermolecular water of the hair and only to a very slight extent on the scalp. Therefore, the energy produced by the radio frequency generator is at a maximum when the hair is very wet, and decreases proportional to the degree of wetness of the hair as the hair is dried and formed. Therefore, when the hair is almost dry, the energy output of the generator to the electrodes of either headpiece is nearly zero, and

no damage is done to the hair and scalp.

As described earlier, the radio frequency energy acts di- The brilliance of light emission by the probe is hair devices, the steam is able to flow steadily out of the headpiece at a low temperature without endangering the hair or scalpof the person whose hair is being treated. In the case of head piece 300, no means is provided for removing moist air from Within the head piece while the hair is being dried. The moist air rises by convection out of the head piecethrough the opening 325.

. In the case of head piece 400, the blower 407 delivers air to space 405 of the head piece, this air passing out through perforations 404 and leaving through the lower opening of the head piece. This air flow purgesthe moist air from the head piece. Alternatively, blower 407 may be a suction fan to draw room air up into the head piece around the head, and to exhaust the air, togetherv with the evaporated moisture, out through duct 406.

' Heater 408 is provided in conjunction with head piece 400 to prevent chilling of the person whose hair is being dried. When the hair is moist, room temperature air blown thereover will produce a chilling effect which causes-discomfort and, perhaps, a cold. The warm air passed through the head piece prevents chilling. While the warmth of the air is so slight as to not contribute significantly to the drying of the air, there is a beneficial elfect, in that condensation of moisture within the head piece or on the hair is prevented.

When using either head-piece 300 or 400, the coiflfure is completed after the drying and permanent forming of the hair is completed. When treated with either headpiece, the hair Will be found to be undamaged and soft and manageable, but having a permanent Wave set far superior to wave sets produced by conventional methods.

While simply drying the hair in the manner described will produce a wave of permanence greater than when ordinary drying methods are used, it is often desirable. to make the wave of greater permanence. Accordingly, it has been discovered that permanent waving of hair may be achieved by using conventional permanent waving solutions in conjunction with the head pieces 300 and 400. Any type of permanent waving solution, of which there are many widely used types, may be used, including the so-called cold wave solutions. The hair is prepared in y the customary way, the solution being applied directly to the hairaccording to the directions accompanying the solution. Then the head is placed within head piece 300 or 400 and the radio frequencyenergy supplied as when the hair is to be dried. The time required for com-. plete action of the permanent'waving solution is only a fraction of the time usually required, and a comparable permanent wave is obtained. .Thus, using Breck" cold wave solution, the treating time for complete reaction of the solution to produce a wave is from 30 seconds to 5 minutes when the radio frequency energy is applied, whereas the label accompanying the solution calls for a treatingtime of from 10 to 45 minutes.

' Similarly, for other treatments of the hair such as. dying, bleaching, and oil or creme treatment, the ordinary solutions used in the trade are applied to the hair in the customary way, and the radio frequency energy is then applied to the hair in the manner described for drying of the air. The energy applied speeds up the action of the treating solution, and greatly reduces the times required for the treatment. i

The method is of universal application. A large number of commercial hair treating solutions have been used, and, without exception, the desired results have been predicted and obtained.

rectly to impart kinetic energy to the water molecules,

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, many modifications thereof may be made by a person skilled in the art with- 11 out departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to protect by Letters Patent all forms of the invention falling within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for treating hair on the head, including drying, dying, bleaching, permanent waving and creme or oil treating, and the like, comprising means for generating an alternating electromagnetic field of a frequency in the radio frequency range, a head piece fittable to closely cover the hair on the head including means for concentrating said field in a surface encompassing the hair on the head but not including the skull, said concentrating means being operatively connected to said generating means whereby said field emanates at said concentrating means, means for insulating electric currents of said generating means from said head piece, timing means for controlling the length of the period that said field is generated at said head piece by said generating means, whereby said field acts for a predetermined length of time on the hair on the head encompassed by said head piece to treat the hair, the time required for the treatment requiring from about /5 to 1d the time normally required for the treatment.

2. The combination of claim 1, said generating means being of a type adapted for generating a field varying in intensity directly proportional to the wetness of the hair being treated, whereby the field is of greatest intensity when the hair is very wet and decreases in intensity as the hair is dried, thereby preventing damage to the hair, said drying causing intermolecular modification of the hair structure whereby a permanent set of the hair is achieved.

3. Combination of claim 2, said field concentrating means comprising a first electrode means of one polarity having a plurality of spaced metal foil strips disposed in a surface substantially equidistant from the head and hair and second electrode means of opposite polarity having a plurality of spaced metal foil strips disposed in said surface and spaced between said strips of said first electrode means, said field being confined away from the head but in the hair in passing between adjacent strips of opposite polarity of said first and second electrode means.

4. A hair treating head piece comprising, an inner shell for closely fitting about the hair on the head and for protecting the hair and head, an outer shell spaced outwardly from said inner shell, dielectric means disposed between said inner and outer shells for producing and concentrating dielectric currents in the hair on the head but not significantly in the skull, means for generating said dielectric currents operatively associated with said dielectric means, whereby said held within said head piece acts kinetically on liquids wetting the hair to cause rapid treatment of the .hair.

5. Apparatus for drying, treating, and waving hair on the head comprising means for generating an alternating electromagnetic field of a frequency in the radio frequency range, and a hand tool or implement for being operatively placed adjacent to but spaced from hair on the head and including disposed therein means for concentrating said field in said hair but outside the scalp, said concentrating means being operatively connected to said generating means whereby said field emanates at said concentrating means.

6. Method of treating hair on the head, including drying, dying, bleaching, permanent waving, oil or creme treating, and the like, comprising wetting the hair with a suitable treating liquid, providing spaced dipole electrode means spaced from the hair but adjacent thereto, and directing alternating electromagnetic radio frequency 12 energy of a frequency in the range, one megacycle to 150 megacycles, from said electrode means directly into the wetted hair to dry the treating liquid in the absence of energy receiving means in the hair.

7. Method or" permanently setting hair on the head, comprising wetting the hair, setting the hair as desired by using means non-responsive to alternating electromagnetic radio frequency energy to produce heat, and directing alternating electromagnetic radio frequency energy from means spaced from the hair to act on the wetted hair, the hair thereby being dried and permanently set.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the hair is wetted with water.

9. The method ofclaim 7 wherein the hair is wetted with a water solution of a wetting agent.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the hair is wetted with a permanent waving solution.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the hair is wetted with a water solution of a substance which contributes body to the hair after the hair is dried.

12. Apparatus for treating hair on the head including drying, dying, permanent waving, bleaching, creme or oil treating, and the like, comprising headpiece means including an outer shell shaped to closely envelop a portion of the head, a plurality of rods spaced substantially equally over the interior of said shell, first means connecting alternate rods of said plurality of rods together, second means connecting the other rods of said plurality of rods together, means providing a source of alternating electromagnetic radio frequency energy and including a pair of out put poles for said energy each connected to one of said first and second means.

13. Method of treating hair on the head, including drying, dying, bleaching, permanent waving, oil or creme treating, and the like, comprising wetting the hair with a suitable treating liquid, placing alternate dielectric means of opposite polarity spaced outwardly from the hair, and directing alternating electromagnetic radio frequency energy of a frequency in the range, one megacycle to megacycles, from said dielectric means directly into the wetted hair to dry the treating liquid in the absence of energy receiving means in contact with the hair, the energy field encompassing the hair but not reaching the head in significant amounts.

14. The method of claim 13, said treating liquid being water, said field acting on the water around and combined with the hair to rapidly vaporize the water and dry the hair, said drying under influence of the field giving the hair a more permanent set than is realized by drying the hair by direct application of heat.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,751,573 'Bishinger Mar. 25, 1930 1,892,106 Jancke Dec. 27, 1932 2,118,594 Douden May 24,1938 2,137,189 Whitman Nov. 15, 1938 2,191,080 LeWiS Feb. 20, 1940 2,212,522 Hart Aug. 27, 1940 2,235,895 Maize Mar. 25, 1941 2,265,920 Maize Dec. 9, 1941 2,286,110 Running June 9, 1942 2,526,283 Schmidt Oct. 17, 1950 2,560,808 Maccallum July 17, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 617,274 Great Britain Feb. 3, 1949 

